When we decided to put the boys together in Kendall’s room (versus selling this house, buying a new one and trying not to get divorced in the process), we knew we’d have to make every inch count.
I asked Scott to build Kendall a sensible bunk bed without the bottom bunk so it could free up some floor space since we’d be cramming a crib and rocking chair in there.
As I watched him stain and saw the pieces that would become our then 5-year-old’s bed, I thought to myself, “Wow. That looks…. enormous.” But he’s the handyman around here. And I didn’t want to get roped into sanding anything, so I stayed out of his way.
And then, this is what became of that request for a sensible bunk bed.
It’s 8 feet tall.
EIGHT FEET TALL. I live with Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. This is the same guy who insists on using his drill and finding a stud for anything we hang on the walls. A job is not complete if he hasn’t used a power tool. Drywall and nails are very unreliable, you guys.
He was quite proud of his gigantic structure. I, on the other hand, literally had a panic attack. I have this thing about my kids falling from heights. Like, actual nightmares. I take medication for it. (Only half joking.)
Sure, we can fit a lot under there, and I can nearly stand up, but I had visions of tucking him in at night, talking with him face-to-face as I stood next to his bed. Now I have to hoist myself up the ladder to the mess above. Oh, you can bet this bed never gets made… or the sheets changed.
Now that it’s been up for a few months, I’m mostly okay with it, though I’m still pressing Scott to take it down and saw at least a foot off of it this summer. As you can see in the pic above, at least there’s a considerable fence around him. He knows not to play around up there. Leyna is absolutely forbidden from playing up there.
And he knows to watch out for the ceiling fan. But mostly we don’t turn it on. Or dust it.
It doesn’t really matter because he doesn’t really sleep in it. Lowell wakes 2-3 times a night, and we’re semi-sleep-training him, so Kendall sleeps in our room every night.
Yay for me not worrying about him sleeping in the clouds, but boo for feet in my back.
The good news is we did manage to squeeze the crib and the rocker in there.
Some of you have requested plans for this monstrosity. I’m pressing Scott to get those done. I’ll be sure he adds the “excessive, ridiculous height” disclaimer to it.